Concord, North Carolina - Homes for sale

Gentlemen, start your engines and head for the town whose slogan is "high performance living." Concord sits just north of Charlotte, in Cabarrus County, and is much visited by motor sports enthusiasts. It is the home of the Lowe's Motor Speedway which hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including NASCAR events, car shows and racing and stock car driving schools. Racing fans will especially enjoy the behind-the-scenes tour.

The town of Concord may seem obsessed with racing but it offers much more than the roar of engines. History buffs will enjoy wandering the three historic districts - North Union, South Union and Edgewood -- which include the large mansions built by textile moguls. The textile industry was a major economic factor for more than a century.

Although these neighborhoods included opulent mansions, you'll also see more moderate dwellings built in a variety of styles, including Craftsman, Colonial Revival and Queen Anne. Distinctly different from each other, the homes retain their individual character while blending seamlessly together on tree-lined streets.

"It is also North Carolina's number one visitor attraction. With more than 200 stores, including manufacturer and retail outlets as well as specialty shops and off-price retailers..."

Concord is also somewhat of a shopping destination. The pedestrian-friendly downtown shopping area includes antiques, gift and clothing shops along with a variety of dining options. But perhaps the largest draw is Concord Mills which bills itself as the number one shopping and entertainment experience in the Carolinas. It is also North Carolina's number one visitor attraction. With more than 200 stores, including manufacturer and retail outlets as well as specialty shops and off-price retailers, Concord Mills is destination in itself. Laid out in a race track style, the complex includes a NASCAR-themed fun park and a 24-screen movie theater.

Concord has a long history, dating to the late 1700s, when it was settled by German and Scots-Irish. The early settlers disagreed about where the county seat for the newly created Cabarrus County should be located but eventually resolved their differences. In 1796, the town was founded on a 26-acre site and named Concord, a word meaning "harmony" to reflect the way the residents came together to resolve the issue.